Pittsburgh Art + Technology

With the presentation of Transformation 7: Contemporary Works in Wood, the Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, SCC celebrates the 12thanniversary  of this internationally recognized prize which honors Elizabeth Rockwell Raphael, the founder of the Society for Contemporary Craft and an important figure on the national craft scene. Over the past 12 years, this biennial competition has established an important history, recognizing emerging as well as established artists for their contributions to the field of contemporary craft. These artists are redefining the boundaries of clay, glass, metal, wood and found materials, both technically and conceptually, to create work that is challenging and thought-provoking.

For the 2009 competition, the selection review committee included Michael Monroe, director of curatorial affairs at Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Washington; internationally recognized furniture maker and sculptor Craig Nutt, Kingston Springs, Tennessee; Kate Lydon, SCC’s director of exhibitions; and Elizabeth Raphael’s daughters, Catherine and Margaret Raphael.

As with the past six exhibitions, this show continues the theme of transformation, an appropriate focus for an exhibition honoring Elizabeth Raphael, a woman who believed in the transformation power of art to change lives. In addition to the prize winner, Transformation 7 also features the work of 25 finalists who are using an amazing range of techniques and materials, forms rooted in traditional craft materials and processes, as well as art the explores relationships between craft and painting, or sculpture and installation. Techniques used by the participating artists include turning, carving, bleaching, lacquering, steaming, and painting on wood. Many of the works combine wood with mixed materials such as steel, bronze, and found object—a telephone pole, metal bike parts, and string, among others—to create highly executed works.

For more information, visit the SCC website.